USCIS Updates Policy Manual to Include Anti-Americanism in Immigration Reviews

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its Policy Manual to tighten immigration benefit application criteria, emphasizing that any anti-American sentiment, connections to terrorist organizations, or anti-Semitic activities will be overwhelmingly negative factors in discretionary decisions. The new guidelines also expand social media reviews to detect anti-American views and apply immediately to current and future applications, reinforcing that immigration benefits remain a privilege, not a right. USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser stressed the agency's commitment to rooting out anti-Americanism in immigration adjudications. In a related development, a fatal car crash involving an undocumented immigrant from India in Florida has intensified state-level immigration tensions, with GOP officials blaming California's policies on driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants and work permit approvals under the Biden administration. This incident has sparked political debate between states over immigration enforcement and public safety, highlighting ongoing national divisions. President Donald Trump's administration supports the USCIS policy changes aimed at scrutinizing anti-American views in immigration decisions to reinforce national security and immigration law compliance.